Dental Marketing commentary for dentists, orthodontists, dental specialists, dental laboratories, and other dental related businesses. This dental blog is written by dental marketing coach and consultant Dick Chwalek. He focuses on Connective Communication.

Thursday

Minnesota Dental Lab Presents Case Study: Implant Bar Overdenture

Dental implants seem to be the one sector in dentistry that is on the rise.

The reason may be partly due to the baby boomer generation, consumer awareness, or advanced technologies and products. Implant manufacturers are investing many dollars into marketing, education, and materials.

Because of the different implant treatment options now being accepted by patients, laboratories are doing more complex implant cases, requiring the use of new materials and technologies.

The newest system at Renstrom is the NobelProcera Scanner. With 3D software, a technician has the capability of designing a variety of things, one being titanium implant bar overdentures and hybrid bars with the desired attachments. Depending on the patient’s treatment plan and budget constraints, a fixed or removable bar can be fabricated to fit their needs.

In the case shown below, five implants were placed and a Montreal Bar was made to retain the overdenture. The bars can be made for a variety of implant systems and multi unit abutments. The highly polished, biocompatible bars are light but high in strength, which reduces the likelihood of extension breakage. A big advantage to a titanium bar is that it is an affordable option in comparison to cast metal solutions.

Patients can also enjoy a stable, yet removable denture for easy hygiene maintenance. The technicians at Renstrom would be happy to assist you with the treatment planning of your next simple or complex implant case!

1) Models were poured from the implant level impression that was sent to the lab. It is important that the lab technician has all of the information withthe case including type and size of implants.

2)
In this case, the patient had a pre existing denture, which was sent to the lab and duplicated. If the patient does not have a denture, a set-up will be fabricated and evaluated at try in.

3) A verification jig was made using GC resin and non-engaging implant replicas to verify the placement of the implants in the model. The doctor will then do a try in to confirm that when seated completely, the jig does not lift and has a passive fit. If one of the implant replicas does not completely seat, the doctor can sec- tion the jig and relute it until a passive fit is obtained.

4) The model and denture replica werescanned using the NobelProcera scanner. Different design tools were used to virtually create the implant bar. A Montreal bar was designed for this case. The
file is then sent from the software to the NobelProcera Production facility for milling.

5) The bar is milled out of surgical grade 6A1-4V titanium, which is four times lighter than gold. It is returned to the lab highly polished with all screws/attachments and ready to be delivered for try in.

6) The Denture teeth are reset on the titanium framework, and both bar and set up are tried in once again.

7) Once the denture is approved, the overdenture is processed and finished.